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October 8, 2012

Big Story Weather – October 8, 2012

by editor

redOrbit Meteorologist Joshua Kelly

Big Story Weather from October 5-7: The big story from the past three days has been the arrival of cold polar air into the United States. We are slowly going to see this modify before the next shot comes in later this week. Frost and freeze warnings have been expanded down into the Southern Plains and eastward across a good portion of the Ohio River Valley. Severe weather was very limited this past weekend due to all the colder air in place, however, there were a few wind reports from Tennessee eastward into the Carolinas.

Weather Outlook for October 8: High pressure over the Tennessee River Valley will slowly shift eastward this afternoon bringing partly cloudy skies from the Gulf Coast into portions of the Southeast. The sea and land breeze will impact Southern Florida today. A weak upper level feature is moving through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast today bringing with it a chance to see some showers and isolated thunderstorms. A low pressure system is moving through the Northern Plains and will bring a few showers to the Northern Plains around the Twin Cities and also into portions of WI. Below is the weather for a few select cities.

International Weather Outlook: A frontal boundary will extend across portions of Japan bringing an increase in cloud cover to the region. Another frontal boundary will extend over the Korea´s and Eastern China bringing a chance of isolated showers. The monsoonal moisture continues to stream on-shore bringing plenty of clouds and precipitation to portions of southeast Asia. Low pressure beginning to move into Europe will bring extensive cloud cover along with showers to many locations from England southward into Spain and further southward into Italy and also over towards Germany. High pressure will bring a nice day to most of Australia with partly cloudy skies and a few places enjoying just sunshine. Below is the weather for a few select cities.

Atlantic Basin: There is one area of interest currently located just to the East of the Windward and Leeward Islands. This area currently has winds around 25kts and a pressure of 1010mb. There is a slight chance to see this area develop more over the next 24 hrs.

Eastern Pacific: This past weekend we saw the formation of Tropical Storm Olivia which this morning has winds near 50kts and a pressure of 998mb. This storm will continue to turn where it´s at and then make a short jog to the southwest over the next few days.

Western Pacific: Tropical Depression Gaemi has made landfall over Vietnam and is slowly drifting westward across the country producing heavy rains and also strong winds. Estimated winds are around 20kts with a pressure of 1007mb. Tropical Storm Prapiroon has formed over the weekend and is currently to the east of the Philippines with winds near 45kts and a pressure of 989mb. This storm will gain strength as it slowly moves north and then northeastward.

South Indian Ocean: There remains an area of interest this morning located near 18.7N and 87.3E. Winds are around 15kts and a pressure of 1010mb. This feature will continue to drift slowly westward across the Indian Ocean basin.

ENSO Watch: All attention needs to be paid to the Western box of the El-Nino watch area as this is looking more and more likely that El-Nino will develop which will lead to a certain weather pattern which we will begin to see take shape over the next few weeks.

Five Day Storm Index Outlook for October 8-12:

New York NY: An upper level feature moving through the area over the next couple of days will bring a slight impact to the region - mostly with a very cold rainfall.

Mobile AL: High pressure will control the weather over the next few days leaving this area with no impacts.

Minneapolis MN: A frontal boundary moving through the area today will bring a slight chance of impacts to the Metro area. The remainder of the period should be quiet.

Salt Lake City UT: A quiet week in store, however by the 12th a new frontal boundary will be moving onshore and it could spread some showers into the region giving the area a slight impact for the day.

Seattle WA: A nice week in store, but by the 12th we could see a change as a new frontal system will approach the area leaving the area a chance to see some impacts.

Climate Watch for October 3-7:

New York NY: The period has been dominated by above temps as they have been ranging from about 3-11 degrees above average, however the 7th a frontal boundary moved through and dropped temps to around 9 below.

Mobile AL: Temps started out about 2 below average, followed by a small warming trend as temps went to about 3-6 degrees above average followed by a cool down as temps on the 7th were about 8 degrees below average.

Minneapolis MN: Temps started the period about 14 degrees above average followed by a return to average and then temps have been running about 9-18 degrees below average right after the frontal boundary passed through the area.

Salt Lake City UT: Temps started about 4 degrees above average followed by a cool down as temps are now running about 6-8 degrees below average.

Seattle WA: The past five days have been noted for a gradual warming period as temps have risen from 1 degree above average all the way to 12 degrees above average.

Major Weather Impacts Discussion for October 8, 2012:

Day 1-3: An upper level feature over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will bring a few showers and thunderstorms to the region. Also high pressure will encompass a large portion of the United States leading to a nice day.

Day 4-7: An upper level feature will be approaching the coast of California and will bring some widespread rain to the region. High pressure will still be in control of the weather for 2/3 of the United States. The upper level feature will move into the Rockies and develop a surface low that will begin to move over the Northern Plains bringing with it some cold rain to the area. The frontal boundary will be approaching the Pacific Northwest giving them some rain for the first time in a very long time.

Day 8-12: Another low pressure will drop out of Canada and move southeast towards the Southern Plains. This feature may gain enough strength to lead to a possible severe weather event over the Southern Plains. A strong frontal boundary will approach the Pacific Northwest bringing a very good shot of seeing some heavy rainfall into the region. Also the frontal boundary will move up the East Coast.

Day 13-15: A tropical low pressure system will make its way off the East Coast but may bring some higher seas to the coast. Another tropical feature may possibly land in the Southwest and move into the Rockies and could rapidly intensify, pulling cold air in from the north setting the stage for a major winter storm developing during this time period.

Today's Spotlight Forecast is for Baltimore MD:

Monday: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. High temps will be near 53F, while overnight lows will drop into the 40´s with Northwest winds around 7-12mph.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy and warmer with a high near 57F. Overnight lows will drop to around 44F. Winds from the Southwest around 2-7mph.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy and warmer with a high near 63F. Overnight lows will be around 46F with Northwest winds around 10-15mph.

Thursday: Partly cloudy and mild as high temps rise to near 70F. Overnight lows will drop to around 44F. Look for the winds to be out of the Southwest around 7-12mph.

Friday: Partly cloudy and a tad cooler as high temps will be around 67F. Overnight lows dropping to around 46F. Winds from the Northeast around 5-10mph.

Ask The Weatherman for October 8:

Question: How high are cirrus clouds?

Answer: Typically, cirrus clouds are found above 18,500ft and a tad bit lower in the polar region and also higher in the tropics due to the orbit of the earth. Their oblique shape allows for different heights in all three regions.

*** To have your question of the day answered or have your city spotlighted for the day make sure to visit redOrbit on Facebook. ***

Green Energy Weather Report for October 8:

Wave Energy: The upper level low to the west of California will bring an increase in waves to the region. Also an approaching frontal boundary to the Pacific Northwest will bring some larger waves into the region letting these two places be the best for wave energy today.

Solar Energy: The Pacific Northwest will have another nice day allowing for plenty of sunshine. Along with that will be the Southwest where another dry and sunny day will make for good solar energy output. The Gulf Coast with the high pressure impacting the area will also enjoy some great solar energy today.

Wind Energy: The best place for wind energy today is going to be throughout the Northern Plains as a frontal boundary is getting ready to move through which will lead to some strong southerly winds over the region.

Hydro-Energy: The northern edge of the Mississippi River in Minnesota will receive a small amount of rainfall which will help create some hydro flow through the region.

October 8: Weather and Your Wallet (New Orleans LA):

Dining: If you have plans to dine outdoors at a restaurant today it should be a very nice afternoon to do just that as temps will be in the mid 70´s. Another nice option if you want to save some money is to bring your lunch to an outdoor park and enjoy the nice weather.

Transportation: Plan on taking the bus, bike or walk to work today as it a great day to do all of these options, and they should save you money as you are not spending it on gas for your own car.

Shopping: Like to shop? Well, today will be a great day to check for those outside sidewalk sales as the sunny skies will make for a great day to try and get some sidewalk bargains.

Electricity: The temps are going to be running a tad bit cooler for the region, however between 12PM and 4PM you may need to use the Air Conditioner for a total of 2.0CDD towards your electricity bill.

Agriculture: Working outside today? The region is going to be under high pressure which will be great for getting that harvesting done or even the yard chores.

Construction: The skies will be partly cloudy and with no sign of rain you may encounter a higher volume of construction going on during your morning commutes so plan for that.

Outdoor Venues: Going to watch a sporting event on the big screen or even going to an event at the park? The weather will make for a great day to do all of those.

*** New Weather Changer is where we are going to monitor the latest on weather features that are going to have a large change or impact on the region that they are heading in towards. ***

Weather Changer for Oct 8:

Area #1: This region has been very dry over the summer and first part of fall. However, the luck is about to change as there is a potent low pressure system with a central pressure of 990mb that is headed towards the region around October 10. This will bring a warm front into the area and some much needed precipitation.

Area #2: Another region that has been dealing with very dry conditions is going to be seeing an upper level low move in within the next few days and this feature will bring some much needed rain and thunderstorms to the region. There is no surface pressure associated with this as it´s an upper level feature that will be moving into the area.